Wednesday, May 11, 2005

James Babb2006 Libertarian Candidate for Representative in the General Assembly, District 157

Phone: 610-539-8825jamesbabb@mac.comwww.JamesBabb.com

5/11/2005

Lower Providence Twp. - Libertarian candidate James Babb is calling on Pennsylvania voters to reject the $625,000,000 bond scheme at the polls on May 17th. Citing the massive cost and ineffectiveness of similar coercive government programs, Babb joins other environmentalists and taxpayer advocates in opposing this new debt burden.

"I'm not surprised that career politicians like Carole Rubley co-sponsored HB 2, the bill that authorizes the bond referendum, deceptively named 'Growing Greener 2'. Formerly regarded as the 'party of small government', our Republican representatives in Harrisburg are helping Ed Rendell expand government at an alarming rate. Growing Greener 2 is just the latest example. Tax hikes alone can no longer satisfy their thirst, so big-government advocates like Rubley are reaching for the taxpayer's Visa card again" noted Babb. "Even if you have no interest in the D & R primary races, you need to show up at the poll on May 17 to reject this bond scheme.

The ballot question is so broad that we can only guess where the money will end up. However, all sorts of goodies are promised in the commonwealth's own advertising materials, including industrial bailouts, farm subsidies, housing subsidies, and a wave of other socialist programs. Virtually every special interest group is represented in the proposed loot distribution. Sadly, the interest group not represented in this scheme, is that of our children and grandchildren, who will inherit this legacy of high taxes and debt.

Voters need to know why the politicians are asking voters to authorize an additional $625,000,000 of taxpayer funded debt. Under the guise of environmental protection, the GG2 bond scheme rewards polluters in Pennsylvania by shifting their cost of environmental cleanup onto the backs of overburdened taxpayers. In addition to polluters, the GG2 scheme is a boon for other select groups. Bankers and investors will earn handsome interest on $625,000,000. Perhaps as much as another $625,000,000. Politically connected lawyers and real estate firms will also reap lucrative profits at taxpayers expense.

In a time when Pennsylvania is facing job losses and reduced revenues, it's time to reduce government spending, not increase it. Pennsylvanians want to preserve the environment. Let's let them do that by reducing their tax burden and protecting private property from polluters." Babb added: "Instead of paying for another failed industrial bailout or agricultural welfare scheme, Pennsylvanians should be free to invest in the parks or conservation projects of their choosing. We don't need to filter our efforts through Harrisburg bureaucrats. By holding polluters responsible instead of taxpayers, we can attract more nonpolluting businesses to the Commonwealth, increase prosperity, attract jobs AND protect the environment.

Pennsylvania is home to hundreds of thousands of environmentalists who have voluntarily contributed valuable time and resources to make our commonwealth beautiful. I hope you will join me in preserving the natural beauty of Pennsylvania by volunteering at your local park, contributing to a worthy conservation charity and voting NO to this bond referendum on May 17th!"

-------------------------------James Babb, 37 is a business owner, musician, husband and father. In 2004, his campaign for State Rep. earned 15% of the votes in his home county.